Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Gen Bajwa’s relative cleared in FIA investigation

    Gen Bajwa’s relative cleared in FIA investigation

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has cleared Sabir Hameed, also known as Mithu, a close relative of former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, in a case pertaining to suspicious transactions, The News has confirmed on Saturday.


    The FIA closed an inquiry against the well-known businessman as no evidence in support of allegations leveled against him was found.
    Hameed, who works for a large real estate company, gave the FIA investigators access to all of the records he had, including tax returns through the fiscal year 2022, bank statements, information on both domestic and foreign real estate, automobiles, offshore businesses, and so forth.


    The people close to him said that the FIA initially called the close relative of the former army leader on October 23. Hameed is a hardworking Pakistani who does transparent business but his rivals levelled baseless allegation against him to vilify him, FIA said after conducting an in-depth inquiry.


    In addition, Hameed was required to bring a list of all the countries he has visited as well as an explanation of why. A list of all offshore/shell firms and business vehicles owned by the ex-army chief relative, his spouse, and family members was also instructed to be brought.

  • Palestinian Health Ministry provides credible casualty figures: UN

    Palestinian Health Ministry provides credible casualty figures: UN

    While US President Joe Biden has questioned the reliability of the death toll coming from Gaza, the United Nations has verified that the figures provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Health have a history of being credible.

    “In the past, the five, six cycles of conflict in the Gaza Strip, these figures were considered as credible and no one ever really challenged these figures,” the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) chief, Philippe Lazzarini, said while speaking to the media on Friday.

    On Thursday, the Health Ministry released a 212-page document with names and identity numbers of those killed in Israeli air raid since October 7, having collected the data from morgues and hospitals.

    The list consists of 6,747 people killed in the Israeli attacks, including 2,665 children whereas 529 bodies are yet to be identified.

    Anadolu Agency has said that 8,400 people have been killed including at least 7,028 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

  • DRS decision during Pak-Africa match slammed on social media

    DRS decision during Pak-Africa match slammed on social media

    Celebrities, cricketers and fans lashed out on social media on Friday night at the poor DRS decision and the umpire’s call during the match between Pakistan and South Africa.

    Pakistan needed one wicket to win the most crucial game and to stay alive in the World Cup, when Haris Rauf appealed for a LBW (Leg Before Wicket) that was clearly hitting the line of the wicket but the umpire gave it not out. This poor decision made by umpire almost ended all of the hopes of Pakistan to qualify for semi-finals.

    Most famous cricket celebrities like Harbhajan Singh, Graeme Smith, also Ayushmann Khurrana and other social media users are lashing out this decision.

    Here are some reactions:

  • Annual inflation increases by 29.65% in Pakistan, driven by rising gas prices 

    Annual inflation increases by 29.65% in Pakistan, driven by rising gas prices 

    According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) report released on Friday, the weekly inflation, as measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), exhibited a decline of 0.33 per cent during the week ending on October 19. 

    The Combined Index, as reported by PBS, stood at 277.11, down from 278.04 on October 19, 2023, with a notable contrast to the index of 213.74 recorded on October 27, 2022, a year ago.

    Among the 51 items monitored, the analysis indicates that the average prices of 14 items experienced an increase, 17 items saw a decrease, and 20 items remained stable. 

    Significant reductions were observed in the prices of chicken (10.19 per cent), onions (4.4 per cent), rice IRRI-6/9 (3.84 per cent), bananas (3.64 per cent), gur (3.4 per cent), pulse masoor (2.36 per cent), sugar (2.22 per cent), and mustard oil (2.17 per cent). 

    Conversely, notable price increases were recorded for tomatoes (20.81 per cent), potatoes (3.33 per cent), eggs (1.63 per cent), salt powdered (0.91 per cent), garlic (0.77 per cent), tea prepared (0.67 per cent), bread plain (0.56 per cent), and mutton (0.28 per cent).

    In a year-on-year comparison, the trend reveals an increase of 29.65 per cent in overall inflation, with substantial hikes in gas charges for Q1 (108.38 per cent), cigarettes (94.46 per cent), chilies powder (84.11 per cent), rice basmati broken (78.51 per cent), wheat flour (77.49 per cent), sugar (63.22 per cent), rice irri-6/9 (62.83 per cent), gents sponge chappal (58.05 per cent), gur (57.73 per cent), and salt powdered (54.84 per cent). 

    In contrast, price decreases are observed in tomatoes (31.90 per cent), onions (24.88 per cent), pulse gramme (5.82 per cent), mustard oil (4.16 per cent), and vegetable ghee (1 1 kg) (0.92 per cent).

  • Two lac children sexually abused by Spanish clergy, report reveals

    Two lac children sexually abused by Spanish clergy, report reveals

    In a staggering revelation, a 700-page long report released by the Spanish national ombudsman Angel Gabilondo, it has been estimated that over 200,000 minors have been abused by the Roman Catholic clergy since 1940 in the country.

    The poll conducted by the independent commission of over 8,000 people found that 0.6 percent of Spain’s adult population of around 39 million people said that they suffered sexual abuse by members of the clergy when they were still minors.

    “Unfortunately, for many years there has been a certain desire to deny abuses or a desire to conceal or protect the abusers,” said Gabilondo while addressing the press.

    Over the last two decades, the allegations against the Spanish Catholic Church have mounted to a great level often involving children. The report is also critical of the clergy as the response by them was “insufficient” thus, it recommends the state to pay reparations to victims.

    Spain’s parliament in March 2022 overwhelmingly approved the creation of an independent commission led by the ombudsman to “shed light” on allegations of sexual abuse of “defenceless boys and girls” in the Catholic church.

    The church, initially reluctant, said in June that it has discovered 927 cases of child abuse through a complaints procedure launched in 2020, and in response to that it has set up a “child protection” office.

    El Pais, a leading Spanish Newspaper, states in their investigation of 2018 dark facts dating back to 1927 about thousands of victims and alleged abusers. The recent report is dubbed as the “tip of the iceberg” by them.

    The church’s abuse crisis is rampant all across Europe-first surfaced in 2002-and these investigations stir governments to take serious steps to stop the malice. Spain has been leading the effort as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the release of the report was a “milestone” in the country’s democratic history. Child Protection Activist, Juan Cuatrecasas, commented, “This must be the start of something, not an end in itself.”

  • World Cup 2023: South Africa defeated Pakistan by one wicket in thriller

    World Cup 2023: South Africa defeated Pakistan by one wicket in thriller

    In the 26th and most important match of the ICC World Cup, South Africa defeated Pakistan by one wicket after a sensational game. South Africa achieved Pakistan’s target of 271 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 47.2 overs, with Aiden Markram scoring 91 runs.

    Abdullah Shafiq and Imamul Haq opened the innings for Pakistan but once again the Pakistani opening pair could not give the team a good start. Abdullah Shafiq returned to the pavilion after scoring only nine runs off a Marco Jansen delivery. Imamul Haq also scored 12 runs off 18 balls and became a victim of Jansen’s ball.

    Pakistan’s third wicket was Muhammad Rizwan who scored 31 runs, caught behind the wickets off Coetzee while Iftikhar Ahmed was caught on the boundary trying to hit Tabriz Shamsi for a six, after scoring 21 runs. Captain Babar Azam scored a half-century but he too was caught behind the wickets after scoring 50 runs off a blistering ball from Tabriz Shamsi.

    After five wickets fell on 141, Shadab Khan and young batsman Saud Shakeel batted responsibly and formed a brilliant partnership, taking the score to 225 runs. Shadab was dismissed for 43 runs off 36 balls. Meanwhile, Saud Shakeel scored a magnificent half-century, but he too returned to the pavilion after scoring 52 runs off 52 balls with the help of 7 fours.

    The entire Pakistan team was bowled out for 270 runs in 46.4 overs.

    On behalf of South Africa, Tabrez Shamsi took four wickets while Marko Jansen got three wickets and Coetzee got two wickets.

    Chasing Pakistan’s target of 271 runs, South Africa got off to a good start, with the two openers putting on a 34-run partnership before Quinton de Kock was dismissed for 24 runs.

    South Africa suffered its second loss in the form of captain Tamba Bavuma, who returned to the pavilion after scoring 28 runs, while van der Daussen scored 21 runs and Henrik Klaasen was caught out for 12 runs. In such a situation, a partnership of 70 runs was established between Miller and Aiden Markram, but then Miller was dismissed for 29 runs while Adam Markram scored a brilliant 91 runs.

    When the total score of South Africa reached 250 runs, Pakistan made a brilliant comeback, got two wickets, and came back into the match. However, South Africa’s tail-and-beater Maharaj and Shamsi played responsible batting and established an important partnership of 11 runs to give their team victory after a thrilling match.

    On behalf of Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets, and Haris Rauf, Wasim Junior, and Osama Amir took two wickets respectively.

    This the first time in the history of the World Cup, Pakistan lost in 4 consecutive matches

  • ‘It doesn’t matter’: Ranbir Kapoor responds to label of ‘toxic masculinity’

    Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor was the center of criticism from the public when certain moments with his wife, actress Alia Bhatt, didn’t sit well with fans. Recently, the ‘Barfi’ actor went viral after Alia’s interview with Vogue where she revealed Ranbir forbade her from wearing lipstick. This attracted severe criticism from X (formerly Twitter) users who lashed out at Ranbir by labelling him a ‘red flag’ all women should avoid.

    READ MORE: ‘While we were dating, Ranbir told me not to wear lipstick’: Alia’s Vogue interview sparks outrage

    Recently in an interview the actor, who’s the son of late star Rishi Kapoor, acknowledged the backlash, stating that he is fine with being labeled the face of toxic masculinity.

    “Recently, I was reading an article about being toxic and something relating to some statement I made, and I understand. Listen, I am on your side. Whatever you are fighting against this toxic masculinity, I am on the side of people who are fighting for it. So, if they want to use me as a face, I am fine because their fight is bigger than just me feeling bad about them having an opinion on what I said,” the actor opined according to The Indian Express.

    The ‘Tamasha’ actor said he accepted a long time ago he would become a part of “gossip blogs”, and further said it didn’t matter to him what critics said.

    Ranbir also said him not being active on social media helps in not having to deal with the negativity that comes with being an actor “which is a great thing.”

    But also, Ranbir added, his focus always remained on his work, and takes opinions about his image with a pinch of salt:

    “Sometimes a lot of things are written about you as an actor, and many opinions are made, which are not necessarily true, but you have to take it with a pinch of salt. Because this image of mine, which is being created by the movies or the characters I play or by media, is something that I don’t own. It is owned by the public, it is owned by people who like or dislike my work and they are allowed to say anything as long as they give my work a chance. My focus has always been just to act.”

  • ‘Soon many more will die’: What do we know about day 21

    ‘Soon many more will die’: What do we know about day 21

    At least 480 killed in Israeli attacks in past 24 hours

    More than 481 people have been killed in the last 24 hours alone as Israel continues air raids, reports Gaza’s health authority.

    In total 7,028 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the latest conflict, 66 per cent of them women and children, according to the authority.

    More information on Israel’s ground raid in Gaza

    The Israeli army’s spokesperson has said that during the past day, infantry, armoured and engineering forces, with air support, conducted a concentrated raid in the centre of the Gaza Strip as part of preparations for the “next stages of the war.”

    “The raid began yesterday in broad daylight, and all the forces I mentioned participated in it as combat forces, and it ended successfully in the hours of this morning,” the spokesperson said, adding that there were no casualties among Israeli forces, who exited Gaza after the conclusion of the operation.

    10 doctors, 10 trucks enter Gaza

    10 foreign doctors and 10 trucks carrying water, food and medicine have been sent to Gaza through the Rafah border.

    This means that 84 trucks have been sent to Gaza since the allowance of aid after October 7 – which authorities consider as a mere “drop in the ocean”.

    Hospital workers still require medical supplies and fuel on urgent basis to operate generators while thousands of injured await medical aid.

    ‘Soon many more will die’ from Gaza siege: UN

    The United Nations has warned that “many more will die” because of Israel’s “total blockade” of the Gaza Strip as medical services are “crumbling”.

    “People in Gaza are dying – they are not only dying from bombs and strikes, soon many more will die from the consequences of [the] siege imposed on the Gaza Strip,” said Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

    “Basic services are crumbling, medicine is running out, food and water are running out, the streets of Gaza have started overflowing with sewage.”

    1,000 unidentified bodies under Gaza debris

    According to estimates received by the World Health Organization, at least 1,000 unidentified people, who have not been added to the death toll, are still buried under the rubble of the destroyed building in Gaza.

    “We also get these estimates that there are still 1,000 plus people under the rubble which have not been identified yet,” said the UN health agency’s representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, Richard Peeperkorn.

    As of yet, more than 7,000 have been killed in Israeli air raids since October 7.

  • Pakistani rupee declines by 48 paisa, closing at Rs280.57 against US dollar

    Pakistani rupee declines by 48 paisa, closing at Rs280.57 against US dollar

    In the financial markets this week, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) experienced a depreciation of 1.78 rupees against the US dollar (USD), closing the week’s trade at PKR 280.57.


    This marks a significant shift from the previous week’s closing rate of PKR 278.8 per USD.

    During today’s trading session, the local currency saw a decline of 48.1 paisa. The intraday high (bid) was recorded at Rs280.5, while the low (ask) reached Rs280.15 against the US dollar.


    In the open market, exchange companies quoted the US dollar at Rs279.5 for buying and Rs292.8 for selling, indicating a loss of 50 paisa compared to the previous closing rates of Rs279 for buying and Rs282 for selling.


    This decline against the US dollar signifies the second consecutive weekly decrease for the Pakistani rupee. In comparison to other major currencies, the PKR experienced fluctuations as well.


    Against the Euro, the PKR depreciated by 64.78 paisa, closing at Rs296.17 compared to the previous value of Rs295.53.


    The British Pound became more expensive by 1.21 rupees, closing at Rs339.94 in contrast to Rs338.73 from the previous day.


    PKR lost 0.69 paisa against the Japanese yen, closing at Rs1.869 versus Rs1.862 the previous day.


    The UAE dirham also increased in value by 12.89 paisa from Rs76.257 to Rs76.386.


    It’s noteworthy that during the current financial year, the PKR has appreciated against the dollar by Rs5.42, or 1.93 per cent.


    However, in the current calendar year, PKR has depreciated by 54.14 rupees, or 19.3 per cent.

    This dynamic market movement reflects the ongoing economic fluctuations in the country.

  • Ana Dammi Falastini: From Arab Idol to the national song of Palestine 

    Ana Dammi Falastini: From Arab Idol to the national song of Palestine 

    “Ana Dammi Falastini” , a song that won Muhammad Assaf the title of Arab world in 2015, has over the years became the national song of the land-a musical and patriotic piece they rejoice in, in the face of occupying forces. It is one of the key performances of his concerts.

    The lyrics can literally be translated as “My Blood is Palestinian”. It proclaims the pride of Palestinian and Arab heritage in its opening words:

    Keeping my oath, following my religion

    You will find me on my land

    I belong to my people, I sacrifice my soul for them

    My blood is Palestinian, Palestinian, Palestinian

    My blood is Palestinian

    The whole chorus of the song is an ode to the years of resistance and resilience of Palestinians in a celebratory, hip tone. Assaf himself was born in the Khan Younis refugee camp of Gaza and this song has been his magnum opus. This refrain got popular during Israel’s attack on Sheikh Jarrah in 2021 and since then has gained the status of an anthem among Palestinians. Nowadays, the song is popular on social media, especially TikTok, where people are using it as a background score in protesting against Israeli aggression.

    Earlier in the year, the song was removed from Spotify and Apple Music in an attempt seen as Israel’s way of sabotaging the worldwide popularity of the song even though the platform claimed that it was taken off by the distributor but there is no proof to that. The singer was unaware of the reason as well. Fans around the world slammed the Israeli government for getting triggered by a harmless song.

    The song, however, has now transcended boundaries in the most unconventional way. There is a plagiarised copy of the song doing rounds on social media made by Israel reeking of Zionism with Falastini replaced by “Yahoodi”.

    On one hand it is a testament to the popularity of the song but on the other a proof of sheer hatred that showcases the mindsets of a class of hegemons.

    One user remarks, “Did Israel colonised the song as well?”

    Assaf however has not given up and there are countless other songs of him paying homage to his homeland. Another of his popular song is “Falasteen Enty El Rouh” which means “Palestine, you are the soul.”

    The existence of these artists keep the resistance alive.